A Reconnaissance in the Caspian Provinces of Persia

Abstract

was it altogether safe for travellers to venttire to those parts until a year or two ago when the gendarmerie arrived and disarmed the turbulent, feudal officers of the Shah's Mazandaran army, who spent their time fighting one another in the forests and sometimes rebelling against the authority of the Shah. The Caspian country is now again disturbed by the renewed rebellion of the Jangali tribes of Gilan. For previous knowledge of the Caspian country we have the authority of Lord Curzon, who in his book gives a chapter of information on Mazandaran; then there is the record of the French Scientific Mission and the accounts of Mr. H. L. Rabino, Geographical J'ournal% 1913, and two German travellers. We have no proper maps of the Caspian provinces; the existing degree sheets, being drawn largely from hearsay, are more misleading than helpful. Mr. Rabino, while British Vice-Consul at Rasht, prepared a fairly good map of Gilan; and it still remains the best avail? able of that part. It is known that the Russians had an accurate largescale map of the coastal country, but this was secret, and has never been seen by the public. The country presents some difficulties for survey; but no doubt the survey will soon be accomplished when the political disturbances have subsided, as our mapping parties have already carried the half-inch sheets as far as Tehran. Meanwhile the accompanying sketch-map may perhaps serve to fill the gap and illustrate the route along the coast.